Neuropsychology in District of Columbia

Neuropsychology studies mental activity of human in normal and pathological conditions in terms of its cerebral organization. Hence the main function the neuropsychologist: to consider any psychological phenomenon (normal or pathological) in a particular age and sex and socio-cultural aspect in terms of its Cerebral providing.

 Neuropsychological examination allows to establish the degree damages of cognitive function, and how this leads to disruption of daily activities, and to identify the probable causes of occurring the changes. In the future, obtained data will help experts to monitor the progress of treatment, focusing on the severity of cognitive impairment and their change in the course of pharmacotherapy as well as pick up behavioral methods the correction of cognitive disorders.

Disorders at which neuropsychological examination is recommended:

• Schizophrenia;
• Depression;
• PTSD;
• Organic anxiety disorder;
• Organic change of identity;
• Brain tumors;
• Moderates cognitive impairment;
• Dementia of any origin;
• Traumatic brain injury;
• Stroke;
• Arterial hypertension;
• Atherosclerosis of vessels;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Vascular diseases of the brain;
• Personality disorders.

Neuropsychological examination includes a variety of tests for memory, attention, thought, and etc, But will focus to the most disturbed functions in order to clarify the severity of violations for subsequent evaluation of the effectiveness of the therapy and diagnosis.

Upon detection of violations of the higher mental functions, tasks neuropsychological testing can be grouped as follows:

• Diagnosis localization of the pathological process, or underdevelopment (abnormal development) of brain structures;
• Differential diagnostics some diseases of the central nervous system;
• Description of the clinical picture and determination of the degree disturbance of mental functions;
• Identification of specific causes and the prevention of various types of abnormal mental functioning (poor performance, maladjustment, etc.);
• Assessment of the state of mental functions in dynamics;
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of correctional and therapeutic effects;
• Development of strategy of rehabilitation and correctional measures.

As the research in recent years, neuropsychological approach to study the problem of defects in brain activity is one of the most promising in medical psychology.